Measured dose dispenser and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

A two-piece measured-dose dispensing closure (10) includes a cup-shaped measuring chamber (12) and a rotatable dispensing control lid (14). In use, the dispensing control lid is axially moved relative to the measuring chamber by rotation between a first closed position, a second intermediate dispensing position, and a third drain position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention relate to dispensing devices for flowableproducts such as personal care products, concentrated beverages, foodproducts, home and garden chemicals, home cleaning products, laundryproducts, healthcare products, etc.

Integrated dispensing containers and closures are now prevalent in avariety of industries. Consumers continually drive the need for noveldispensing devices which provide more functionality and betterdispensing options for a variety of products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a noveltwo-piece dispensing closure for dispensing a measured dose of aflowable product from a squeeze type container. An exemplary embodimentof the dispensing closure for dispensing a fixed volume or dose offlowable products comprises a cup-shaped measuring chamber and arotatable dispensing control lid.

The measuring chamber includes a bottom wall and an outer side wall, adrain well in the bottom wall, and a tubular dispensing stem extendingupward from the drain well. The dispensing stem has a dispensing orificeat an upper end thereof. The measuring chamber further includes a diptube receptacle extending downwardly from the drain well, a slottedguide wall extending upward from the bottom wall surrounding the drainwell, a plurality of drain ports in the bottom of the drain well and athreaded skirt wall extending downward from the bottom wall forattachment to a product container.

The dispensing control lid includes a contoured upper wall, a sealingplug extending down from the upper wall, a tubular guide stem extendingdownwardly from the upper wall surrounding the sealing plug and a drainwell seal at a terminal lower end of the guide stem. The guide stem andthe guide wall are cooperatively threaded and rotatably interact forguided axial movement of the dispensing control lid relative to themeasuring chamber.

In use, the dispensing control lid is axially moved relative to themeasuring chamber by rotation between a first closed position, a secondintermediate dispensing position, and a third drain position.

In the closed position, the dispensing lid is fully rotated down intothe measuring chamber where the sealing plug is inserted into and closesthe dispensing orifice and the drain well seal is seated between thedrain well wall and the dispensing stem to close the drain well.

In the intermediate dispensing or filling fill position, the dispensingcontrol lid is rotated such that the sealing plug is axially movedupward so that it is spaced from the dispensing orifice for filling themeasuring chamber. The drain well seal is slightly axially longer sothat is remains engaged with the drain well and still closes the drainwell. In this regard, when the product container is squeezed, productflows up through the dispensing stem and can fill the measuring chamber.The measuring chamber may be transparent or translucent and can includemeasurement markings so that the user can squeeze product until adesired dose is contained in the measuring chamber. The user maydispense the product by pouring from the pour spout.

In the drain position the dispensing control lid is further rotated,moving the drain seal further upward to disengage the drain well sealfrom the drain well, allowing product to flow into the drain well,through the drain ports and back into the product container.

In some embodiments, the dispensing closure may include a tamper evidenttab connected to the lid by frangible elements. Still other embodimentsmay include rotation stops to locate the dispensing control lid in thefully closed position and the fully open or drain position.

Another exemplary embodiment of the dispensing closure may include apush-pull version where the dispensing control lid is axially slidablerelative to the measuring chamber between the three different positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention,various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood andappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the followingdescriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of a measureddose dispensing closure according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 5 is top perspective view of the closure body showing the measuringchamber;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the measuring chamber showing thedrain well and dip tube receptacle;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the measuring chamber;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the measuring chamber;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dispensing control lid;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the measured dose dispensing closure with thedispensing control lid in a closed position;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 11-11 of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the measured dose dispensing closure with thedispensing control lid in a fill/measure and dispense position;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 13-13 of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the measured dose dispensing closure with thedispensing control lid in a drain position;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 15-15 of FIG.10; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of ameasured dose dispenser of the present invention attached to acontainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the device and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices andmethods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. Thefeatures illustrated or described in connection with one exemplaryembodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the present disclosure. Further, in the present disclosure,like-numbered components of the embodiments generally have similarfeatures, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of eachlike-numbered component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon.Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are usedin the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, suchdimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can beused in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A personskilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear andcircular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.Further, to the extent that directional terms like top, bottom, up, ordown are used, they are not intended to limit the systems, devices, andmethods disclosed herein. A person skilled in the art will recognizethat these terms are merely relative to the system and device beingdiscussed and are not universal.

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a noveltwo-piece dispensing closure 10 for dispensing a measured dose of aflowable product from a squeeze type container 900.

Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-16, an exemplary embodiment of thedispensing closure 10 for dispensing a fixed or adjustable volume ordose of flowable product from a squeeze container 900 (see FIG. 16)comprises a cup-shaped measuring chamber generally indicated at 12 and arotatable dispensing control lid generally indicated at 14.

The measuring chamber 12 may be integrally molded from a plasticmaterial as a single piece. The plastic material may also be an opaquecolored material, or in some embodiments, the plastic material may betranslucent or transparent so that the user may see dispensed productwithin the interior 16 of the measuring chamber 12 during use. Themeasuring chamber 12 may include markings 200 for identifyingrecommended measured doses (see also FIG. 16). For example, in someexemplary embodiments, markings 200 may be etched, laser etched,printed, or otherwise included on the measuring chamber 12 to assist auser with determining the amount of product within the interior 16 ofthe measuring chamber 12.

As seen in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the measuring chamber12 is cup-shaped and includes a bottom wall 18 and an outer peripheralside wall 20, a pour spout 22 formed in the side wall 20, a drain well24 in the bottom wall 18, and a tubular dispensing stem 26 extendingupward from the drain well 24. The bottom wall 18 may slope from theouter peripheral side wall 20 towards the tubular dispensing stem 26.The tubular dispensing stem 26 has a dispensing orifice 28 at an upperend thereof. The measuring chamber 12 further includes a dip tubereceptacle 30 extending downwardly from the drain well 24, a guide wall32 extending upward from the bottom wall 18 surrounding the drain well24, and a plurality of drain ports 34 in the bottom of the drain well24. Some embodiments may include one or more drain ports 34. The guidewall 32 includes opposing drain slots 36 extending from the bottom wall18 upward. The slots 36 provide drain paths for the dispensed product toflow from the interior holding area 16 of the measuring chamber 12 intothe drain well 24. Some embodiments may include one or more drain slots36. A dip tube 38 is received in the dip tube receptacle 30 to drawproduct upward from the container. An inner threaded skirt wall 40extends downward from the bottom wall 18 for attachment to a productcontainer 900. The skirt wall 40 may alternatively include othersecuring structures to secure the measuring chamber to the productcontainer neck. A sealing gasket 42 is located in annular gap betweenthe drain well 24 and the attachment skirt wall 40. The measuringchamber 12 may further include an outer decorative skirt wall 44 sizedand contoured to match the product container shape.

The dispensing control lid 14 may be integrally molded from a plasticmaterial as a single piece. The dispensing control lid 14 includes acontoured upper wall 46, a sealing plug 48 extending down from the upperwall 46, a tubular guide stem 50 extending downwardly from the upperwall 46 surrounding the sealing plug 48, and an annular drain well seal52 at a terminal lower end of the guide stem 50. As best seen in FIGS. 1and 2, the upper wall 46 is contoured to include an actuator structure54 which facilitates rotation of the control lid 14 during use.

The guide stem 50 and the guide wall 32 are cooperatively threaded androtatably interact for guided axial movement of the dispensing controllid relative to the measuring chamber 12. In the exemplary embodiment,the guide wall 32 is inwardly threaded 32T while the guide stem 50 isoutwardly threaded 50T. Other configurations are contemplated.

In use, the dispensing control lid 14 is axially moved relative to themeasuring chamber 12 by rotation between a first closed position (FIGS.1, 2, 10 and 11), a second intermediate dispensing position (FIGS. 12and 13), and a third drain position (FIGS. 14 and 15).

In the closed position (FIGS. 10 and 11), the dispensing lid is fullyrotated clockwise, down into the measuring chamber 12 where the sealingplug 48 is inserted into and closes the dispensing orifice 28 in thedispensing stem 26 and the drain well seal 52 is seated between thedrain well wall 24 and the dispensing stem 26 to close the drain well24.

In the intermediate dispensing or filling position (FIGS. 12 and 13),the dispensing control lid 14 is rotated counterclockwise about 60degrees where the sealing plug 48 is axially moved upward so that it isspaced from the dispensing orifice 28 for filling the measuring chamber12. The drain well seal 52 is slightly axially longer so that is remainsengaged with the drain well 24 and still closes the drain well 24. Inthis regard, when the product container is squeezed, product flows upthrough the clip tube 38 into the dispensing stem 26 and fills themeasuring chamber 12. As noted above, the measuring chamber 12 may betransparent or translucent and can include measurement markings 200 sothat the user can squeeze product until a desired dose is contained inthe measuring chamber 12. The user may dispense the product by pouringfrom the pour spout 22.

In the drain position (FIGS. 14 and 15) the dispensing control lid 14 isrotated another 60 degrees counterclockwise, moving the drain well seal52 further upward to disengage the drain well seal 52 from the drainwell 24, allowing product to flow into the drain well 24, through thedrain ports 34 and back into the product container 900.

While the rotation of about 60 degrees in a counterclockwise directionis illustrated to switch between the closed position, intermediateposition, and drain position, it is understood that in other embodimentsof the invention, the rotational distance may be varied, less-than, ormore-than 60 degrees. In addition, rotation may be in a clockwisedirection.

In some embodiments, the dispensing closure 10 may include a tamperevident tab 56 connected to the lid by frangible elements 58. As bestseen in FIG. 10, the tamper evident tab 56 is secured to the upper wall46 of the control lid 14 so that it occupies the open area within thespout 22 while the control lid 14 is located in the fully closedposition (initial shipping condition) (FIGS. 10 and 11). To facilitatebreaking of the frangible elements 58, the inner surface of the spout 22and the lower surface of the tab 56 include interacting shoulders 22Sand 56S which, when the control lid is initially rotated, will force thetab 56 upward causing bending and braking of the frangible elements 58.

Still other embodiments may include rotation stops to locate thedispensing control lid 14 in the fully closed position and the fullyopen or drain position. Best seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, the rotation stopscomprise opposing stop tabs 60 extending radially outward from thecontrol lid guide stem 50 and corresponding stop shoulders 62 formed onthe slotted guide wall 32. These structures will stop clockwise rotationof the dispensing control lid 14 in the fully closed position, andcounterclockwise rotation in the fully open drain position.

Another exemplary embodiment of the dispensing closure may include apush-pull version where the dispensing control lid is axially slidablerelative to the measuring chamber between the 3 different positions.

It can therefore be seen that the exemplary embodiments provide uniquedispensing closures with are effective for dispensing an adjustable doseof product from a squeeze type container and for draining over filledproduct when not needed.

Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention,it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims isnot to be limited by particular details set forth in the abovedescription, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated.Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, whichinclude within their scope all equivalent devices or methods whichoperate according to the principles of the invention as described.

1. A dispensing closure comprising: a measuring chamber including; adrain well; a dispensing stem extending upward from said drain well; aguide wall surrounding said dispensing stem; a container attachmentstructure and a dispensing control lid including an upper wall; asealing plug extending down from said upper wall; a guide stem extendingdownwardly from said upper wall surrounding said sealing plug; a drainwell seal at a terminal end of said guide stem.
 2. The dispensingclosure of claim 1 wherein said dispensing control lid is axiallymovable between a closed position wherein said sealing plug closes saiddispensing stem and said drain well seal closes said drain well, a fillposition wherein said sealing plug is spaced from said dispensing stemand said drain well seal still closes said drain; and a drain positionwherein said sealing plug is spaced from said dispensing stem and saiddrain well seal is spaced from said drain well.
 3. The dispensingclosure of claim 1 further comprising a spout formed at an upperperipheral edge of an outer side wall of said measuring chamber.
 4. Thedispensing closure of claim 3, further comprising a tamper evident tabsecured to said dispensing control lid with frangible elements, saidtamper evident tab interacting with said spout.
 5. The dispensingclosure of claim 3 wherein said guide wall and said guide stem arecooperatively threaded.
 6. The dispensing closure of claim 5 whereinsaid guide wall and said guide stem include cooperative stops for saidclosed position and said drain position.
 7. The dispensing closure ofclaim 5, further comprising a tamper evident tab secured to saiddispensing control lid with frangible elements, said tamper evident tabinteracting with said spout.
 8. The dispensing closure of claim 7wherein said tamper evident tab and said spout include interactingshoulders which force movement of said tamper evident tab to sever saidfrangible elements upon an initial rotation of said dispensing controllid.
 9. The dispensing closure of claim 1 wherein said upper wall ofsaid dispensing control lid includes an actuator.
 10. The dispensingclosure of claim 1 wherein said measuring chamber is molded from atranslucent or transparent plastic. 11-20. (canceled)